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Maruti Alto 800 BS-VI Spotted Testing Even After Launch: Spy Pics
The upcoming Maruti Alto 800 BS-VI model has been spotted testing, inspite of the car being launched earlier this year. Spy pics taken by Rushlane reveal a test model sans camouflage. The spy pics also reveal that the car has an emission testing unit installed on it. In addition, the vehicle has a red colour registration plate. The Alto 800 model was spotted near the company's Manesar facility.
Spy pics do not reveal any other changes made to the Alto 800. The Alto 800 already features a BS-VI compliant engine, and Maruti gave the WagonR a BS-VI upgrade last week.
The Alto 800 currently features a 796cc three-cylinder engine that produces 48bhp of power and 69Nm of torque. Transmission options include a five-speed manual gearbox. We assume that the company is testing the vehicle in order to achieve cleaner emissions.
The current-generation Maruti Alto800 is priced between Rs 2.94 lakh and Rs 3.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), and we reckon that prices could go up, depending on what changes the current testing brings.
The company has eight models that are BS-VI complaint at the moment. These are the Ertiga, the XL6, the Dzire, the Baleno, the Swift, the WagonR, the Alto 800, and the recently launched S-Presso. We expect that the Alto K10 will receive an upgrade soon.
Maruti intends focusing only on petrol engines in the small car segments. The company believes that the increase in prices for smaller diesel engines do not justify giving the engines an upgrade. The company also sees customers proactively moving to petrol models instead of diesel models.
Other manufacturers have also announced discontinuation of diesel models once the BS-VI norms kick in on 1 April 2020. French auto manufacturer Renault said they were stopping production of small diesel cars, and Japanese giants Toyota also plans to discontinue its smaller diesel engines.
Thoughts About The Maruti Alto 800 BS-VI Model Testing Even After Launch
Maruti seem to be on top of their game. They announced some time ago that they would discontinue diesel engines and quickly went to work on the petrol engines. Upgrading, testing, and offering BS-VI engines in eight models is not an easy task. We're also impressed that all they're doing is concentrating on offering newer engines, and not adding other cosmetic upgrades. They are well aware of what pricing does to the Indian consumer.
Having said that, could the engine on the test model be a 1.0-litre that is being developed and upgraded for the Alto K10? Or is the company just fine tuning the 800cc mill? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.